U.S. patent application number 14/015888 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-05 for wormhole structure digital characterization and stimulation.
This patent application is currently assigned to Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.. Invention is credited to Dandan Hu, Weiming Li.
Application Number | 20150062300 14/015888 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52582664 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150062300 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Li; Weiming ; et
al. |
March 5, 2015 |
Wormhole Structure Digital Characterization and Stimulation
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to digitally characterizing and
simulating wormhole structures in rock. One example method includes
receiving internal imaging data of a core sample of a rock
formation; generating, by one or more processors of a computing
system, a digital core sample model of the structure of the core
sample based on the internal imaging data; and analyzing, by the
one or more processors, the core sample model to determine the
porosity value of the core sample.
Inventors: |
Li; Weiming; (Katy, TX)
; Hu; Dandan; (Houston, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Halliburton Energy Services,
Inc.
Houston
TX
|
Family ID: |
52582664 |
Appl. No.: |
14/015888 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/46 ;
348/61 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 23/046 20130101;
G01N 33/24 20130101; E21B 49/00 20130101; G01N 15/088 20130101;
G01N 2015/0846 20130101; G01N 15/0826 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/46 ;
348/61 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/18 20060101
H04N007/18; H04N 13/02 20060101 H04N013/02 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: receiving internal imaging data of a core
sample of a rock formation; generating, by one or more processors
of a computing system, a digital core sample model of the structure
of the core sample based on the internal imaging data; and
analyzing, by the one or more processors, the core sample model to
determine the porosity value of the core sample.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the internal imaging data is
produced using a three-dimensional imaging technique.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the three-dimensional imaging
technique includes at least one of: focused ion beam-scanning
electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), computerized tomography (CT), or
nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising analyzing the core
sample model to determine the permeability value of the core
sample.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein analyzing the core sample model
to determine a permeability value of the core sample includes
performing a computerized flow simulation using the core sample
mode.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a
treatment to perform on the rock formation based at least in part
on the core sample model.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the treatment is an acid
treatment.
8. The method of claim 6, further comprising: performing the
treatment on the core sample; after performing the treatment,
imaging the treated core sample to produce an treated core sample
model of the structure of the treated core sample; and analyzing
the treated core sample model to determine results of the
treatment.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising updating a field
development plan based on the results of the treatment.
10. A system comprising: memory for storing data; and one or more
processors operable to perform operations comprising: receiving
internal imaging data of a core sample of a rock formation;
generating a digital core sample model of the structure of the core
sample based on the internal imaging data; and analyzing the core
sample model to determine the porosity value of the core
sample.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the internal imaging data is
produced using a three-dimensional imaging technique.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the three-dimensional imaging
technique includes at least one of: focused ion beam-scanning
electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), computerized tomography (CT), or
nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).
13. The system of claim 10, the operations further comprising
analyzing the core sample model to determine the permeability value
of the core sample.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein analyzing the core sample model
to determine a permeability value of the core sample includes
performing a computerized flow simulation using the core sample
mode.
15. The system of claim 10, the operations further comprising
determining a treatment to perform on the rock formation based at
least in part on the core sample model.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the treatment is an acid
treatment.
17. The system of claim 15, the operations further comprising:
performing the treatment on the core sample; after performing the
treatment, imaging the treated core sample to produce an treated
core sample model of the structure of the treated core sample; and
analyzing the treated core sample model to determine results of the
treatment.
18. The system of claim 17, further comprising updating a field
development plan based on the results of the treatment.
19. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions
operable when executed to cause at least one processor to perform
operations comprising: receiving internal imaging data of a core
sample of a rock formation; generating a digital core sample model
of the structure of the core sample based on the internal imaging
data; and analyzing the core sample model to determine the porosity
value of the core sample.
20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the internal
imaging data is produced using a three-dimensional imaging
technique.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This specification relates to digitally characterizing and
simulating wormhole structures in rock.
[0002] In oil and gas exploration, acid and stimulation treatments
may be used to increase the conductivity of a rock formation by
introducing conductive flow channels into the formation structure.
Various parameters associated with the acid treatments may be
varied to produce different flow channel structures, including the
injection volume and velocity of the acid treatment fluid, and the
characteristics of the acid used. Properties of the formation, such
as porosity and permeability, may also affect the flow channels
produced by a given acid treatment.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1A is a diagram of an example well system; FIG. 1B is a
diagram of the example computing subsystem 110 of FIG. 1A.
[0004] FIG. 2A is a set of image slices produced by imaging a core
sample; FIG. 2B is a three-dimensional model constructed from the
set of image slices; FIG. 2C is a representation of the computer
analysis performed to identify voids in the core sample from the
three-dimensional model.
[0005] FIG. 3 is a representation of examples of different
treatment profiles.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional model of a core sample
including a wormhole structure.
[0007] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for
digitally characterizing and simulating wormhole structures in
rock.
[0008] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] The present disclosure describes characterizing rock
microstructure, including wormhole structure and stimulation
efficiency, using internal imaging techniques (e.g., computerized
tomography (CT) scanning, focused ion beam-scanning electron
microscopy (FIB-SEM) and/or others).
[0010] In acidizing for carbonate formation, the success of
stimulation treatments may depend at least in part on the
production of highly conductive wormholes. Such wormholes can
penetrate beyond a damaged zone in the rock, grow deep in the
formation, and result in a negative skin. Obtaining such a wormhole
may depend on the type of acid used in the treatment, the volume
and pumping rate of the acid into formation, and the microstructure
of the rock in the formation. Accordingly, the concepts herein
include identifying rock microstructure from high resolution,
non-destructive internal imaging techniques. Such analysis can
reveal details of the porous media structure at micro to nano
scale. The reconstructed three-dimensional (3D) micro and nano
structures from the high resolution imaging can be used to improve
the understanding of the physical properties of the rock. Important
parameters to characterize rock structure such as porosity and
permeability can also be calculated from high resolution images of
the rock samples. Such information may allow the parameters of an
acid treatment to be selected with greater precision, and may
possibly lead to more efficient treatments and cost savings.
[0011] The concepts herein encompass performing digital analysis of
core samples. In one example implementation, a core sample of a
rock is imaged to produce a digital core sample model of the
structure of the core sample. The core sample model is then
analyzed to determine the porosity value of the core sample. In
some cases, imaging the core sample is performed using a
three-dimensional imaging technique, such as, for example, focused
ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), computerized
tomography (CT), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and/or another
imaging technique. The core sample model may be further analyzed to
determine the permeability value of the core sample. Such analysis
may include performing a computerized flow simulation using the
core sample mode. A treatment to perform on the rock may (e.g., an
acid or fracture treatment) be determined based at least in part on
the core sample model.
[0012] In some cases, after performing a treatment on the rock, an
additional core sample may be imaged to produce an additional core
sample model. This core sample model may then be analyzed to
determine the results of the treatment (e.g., the effectiveness,
acid treatment profile, etc.). A field development plan may then be
updated based on the results of the treatment.
[0013] By predicting optimized wormhole conditions, the cost of
repeating numerous acid core flow tests may be reduced. The volume
of acid spent during such tests may also be reduced, thereby
further reducing cost. Reservoir recovery may also be increased for
greater wormhole stimulation efficiency. The approach may also
provide increased prediction accuracy for rock properties and
enhanced understanding of dynamic formation process during acid
stimulation.
[0014] FIG. 1A shows a schematic diagram of an example well system
100. The example well system 100 includes a treatment well 102. The
well system 100 can include one or more additional treatment wells,
observation wells, or other types of wells. The computing subsystem
110 can include one or more computing devices or systems located at
the treatment well 102, or in other locations. A computing
subsystem 110 or any of its components can be located apart from
the other components shown in FIG. 1A. For example, the computing
subsystem 110 can be located at a data processing center, a
computing facility, or another location. The well system 100 can
include additional or different features, and the features of the
well system can be arranged as shown in FIG. 1A or in any other
configuration.
[0015] The example treatment well 102 includes a well bore 101 in a
subterranean zone 121 of interest beneath the surface 106. The
subterranean zone 121 can include one or fewer than one rock
formation, or the subterranean zone 121 can include more than one
rock formation. In the example shown in FIG. 1A, the subterranean
zone 121 includes multiple subsurface layers 122a-c. The subsurface
layers 122a-c can be defined by geological or other properties of
the subterranean zone 121. For example, each of the subsurface
layers 122a-c can correspond to a particular lithology, a
particular fluid content, a particular stress or pressure profile,
and/or another characteristic. In some instances, one or more of
the subsurface layers 122a-c can be a fluid reservoir that contains
hydrocarbons or other types of fluids. The subterranean zone 121
may include any rock formation. For example, one or more of the
subsurface layers 122a-c can include sandstone, carbonate
materials, shale, coal, mudstone, granite, or other materials.
[0016] The example treatment well 102 includes an injection
treatment subsystem 120, which includes instrument trucks 116, pump
trucks 114, and other equipment. The injection treatment subsystem
120 can apply an injection treatment to the subterranean zone 121
through the well bore 101. In certain instances, the injection
treatment is an acid treatment configured to produce flow channels
(e.g., 126) within the subterranean zone 121.
[0017] As shown, a tubing 117 may be inserted into the well bore
101. The tubing 117 includes one or more seals 124a-d. In some
implementations, the seals 124a-d may include any structure
operable to prevent passage of fluid into portions of the wellbore
below the structure, including, but not limited to, mechanical set
packers, tension set packers, rotation set packers, hydraulic set
packers, inflatable rubber or balloon packers, swell packers,
permanent packers, cement packers, and/or any other type of
seal.
[0018] The seal 124a-b may be operable to divide the wellbore 101
into different zones while the acid treatment is being performed.
For example, seal 124b may be activated to prevent the injected
fluid from passing into portions of the wellbore 101 below the seal
124b (e.g., subsurface layers 122b and 122c). The seal 124a may
also be closed to trap the injected fluid between the seal 124a and
the seal 124b. By holding the fluid at pressure between these two
seals 124a and 124b, the acid treatment may be performed on
subsurface layer 122a.
[0019] The acid treatment can generate flow channels in the
subterranean zone 121, such as flow channel 126. Although flow
channel 126 is shown as a single wormhole structure extending from
the wall of the well bore 101, the acid treatment can generate
different configurations of flow channels, including, but not
limited to, uniform, ramified, conical, face, or any other
configuration. Examples of these configurations are shown in FIG.
3.
[0020] In some implementations, the computing system 110 may be
operable to analyze core samples taken from the subterranean zone
121. In some cases, the computing system 110 may be located at a
drill site containing the well bore 101. The computer system 110
may also be located a remote site from the well bore 101. Core
samples may be taken from within or around the wellbore 101, or
from other core wells extending into the subterranean zone 121 (not
shown). In some cases, the core samples may be taken from a
subsurface layer that has already had an acid treatment applied to
it (e.g., 122b) in order to determine the effectiveness of the acid
treatment. Such a core sample may be analyzed by the computing
subsystem 110 according to the techniques described herein.
[0021] Some of the techniques and operations described herein may
be implemented by a computing subsystem configured to provide the
functionality described. In various embodiments, a computing device
may include any of various types of devices, including, but not
limited to, personal computer systems, desktop computers, laptops,
notebooks, mainframe computer systems, handheld computers,
workstations, tablets, application servers, storage devices, or any
type of computing or electronic device.
[0022] FIG. 1B is a diagram of the example computing subsystem 110
of FIG. 1A. The example computing subsystem 110 can be located at
or near one or more wells of the well system 100 or at a remote
location. All or part of the computing subsystem 110 may operate
independent of the well system 100 or independent of any of the
other components shown in FIG. 1A. The example computing subsystem
110 includes a processor 160, a memory 150, and input/output
controllers 170 communicably coupled by a bus 165. The memory can
include, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a storage
device (e.g., a writable read-only memory (ROM) or others), a hard
disk, or another type of storage medium. The computing subsystem
110 can be preprogrammed or it can be programmed (and reprogrammed)
by loading a program from another source (e.g., from a CD-ROM, from
another computer device through a data network, or in another
manner). The input/output controller 170 is coupled to input/output
devices (e.g., a monitor 175, a mouse, a keyboard, or other
input/output devices) and to a communication link 180. The
input/output devices receive and transmit data in analog or digital
form over communication links such as a serial link, a wireless
link (e.g., infrared, radio frequency, or others), a parallel link,
or another type of link.
[0023] The communication link 180 can include any type of
communication channel, connector, data communication network, or
other link. For example, the communication link 180 can include a
wireless or a wired network, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide
Area Network (WAN), a private network, a public network (such as
the Internet), a WiFi network, a network that includes a satellite
link, or another type of data communication network. In some
implementations, imaging data related to core samples taken from
the well system 100 may be received at the computing subsystem 110
via the communication link 180. In some cases, the computing
subsystem 110 may include an imaging device (not shown) operable to
produce an electronic image of core samples provided from the well
system 100.
[0024] The memory 150 can store instructions (e.g., computer code)
associated with an operating system, computer applications, and
other resources. The memory 150 can also store application data and
data objects that can be interpreted by one or more applications or
virtual machines running on the computing subsystem 110. As shown
in FIG. 1B, the example memory 150 includes data 151 and
applications 156.
[0025] In some implementations, the data 151 stored in the memory
150 may include core model data produced by the computing system
analyzing core samples taken from the subterranean zone 121 shown
in FIG. 1A. Such core model data may include three-dimensional
models of the structure of the core samples. In some
implementations, the three-dimensional models may be solid models.
The three-dimensional models may also be represented any
format.
[0026] The applications 156 can include software applications,
scripts, programs, functions, executables, or other modules that
are interpreted or executed by the processor 160. Such applications
may include machine-readable instructions for performing one or
more of the operations represented in FIG. 5. The applications 156
may include machine-readable instructions for imaging and analyzing
a core sample to produce a core sample model, as shown in and
described in detail relative to FIGS. 2A-2C. The applications 156
can obtain input data from the memory 150, from another local
source, or from one or more remote sources (e.g., via the
communication link 180). The applications 156 can generate output
data and store the output data in the memory 150, in another local
medium, or in one or more remote devices (e.g., by sending the
output data via the communication link 180).
[0027] The processor 160 can execute instructions, for example, to
generate output data based on data inputs. For example, the
processor 160 can run the applications 156 by executing or
interpreting the software, scripts, programs, functions,
executables, or other modules contained in the applications 156.
The processor 160 may perform one or more of the operations
represented in FIG. 5 or analyze a core sample to produce a core
sample model, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C. The input data received by
the processor 160 or the output data generated by the processor 160
can include any of the data 151.
[0028] FIG. 2A is a set of image slices 200 produced by imaging a
core sample taken from a subterranean zone, such as subterranean
zone 121 shown in FIG. 1A. The set 200 includes one or more image
slices 202a-c. Each of the one or more image slices 202a-c
represents a cross-section of the core sample taken at a certain
position. The image slices 202a-c may be produced by a
non-destructive imaging technique, such that the core sample is not
destroyed and remains intact after the imaging process. The image
slices 202a-c may be produced by any imaging technique capable of
producing internal images of the core sample without cutting it
apart. In some implementations, the image slices 202a-c are
produced using a three-dimensional imaging technology, such as, for
example CT, FIP-SEM, NMR, and/or another imaging technology. In
some cases, the image slices 202a-c are raw imaging data that may
be analyzed to produce a three-dimensional model of the core
sample. FIG. 2B shows a three-dimensional model 204 constructed by
analyzing the set of image slices 200. In some cases, the
three-dimensional model 204 may be constructed by layering the
image slices on top of one another to produce a full representation
of the core sample, and then performing additional analysis on this
composite model to identify areas of the model that correspond to
rock and areas that correspond to voids. For example,
[0029] FIG. 2C is a representation 206 of the computer analysis
performed to identify voids 210 in the core sample from the
three-dimensional model 204. As shown, the three-dimensional model
204 is analyzed to identify portions of the model representing rock
structure (e.g., 208), and portions of the three-dimensional model
204 representing voids 210 in the rock structure 208. In some
implementations, the ratio of the voids 210 to the rock structure
208 may be analyzed to produce a porosity value associated with the
core sample. The porosity value may be expressed as a fraction of
the total volume of the voids 210 to the total volume of the core
sample, producing a percentage between 0% (indicating a completely
solid core sample) and 100% (indicating a core sample composed
entirely of voids). The porosity value may also be expressed in
p.u. (porosity units), represented as a number from 0 to 1. In some
cases, three-dimensional model 204 may be analyzed to determine an
effective porosity of the core sample.
[0030] The permeability of the core sample may also be determined
by analyzing the three-dimensional model 204. For example, a flow
simulation may be conducted on the three-dimensional model using a
numerical flow simulation and/or other flow simulation technique to
determine the rate at which a fluid will pass through the core
sample. In some cases, the flow simulation may take the void space
identified in the core sample and the interconnectedness of the
void space as inputs and determine a permeability of the core
sample from these inputs.
[0031] In some implementations, [0001] the three-dimensional model
204 may be imported into a two-scale (e.g. a pore scale to
Darcy/continuum scale) wormhole model in a simulation program to
predict stimulation patterns associated with an acid treatment. For
example, such a simulation may predict that applying a certain type
of acid at a certain injection velocity to the rock from which the
core sample was taken may produce a wormhole stimulation pattern,
while applying a different type of acid a different injection
velocity to the rock from which the core sample was taken may
produce a ramified stimulation pattern.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a representation 300 of examples of different
treatment profiles 302a-e. Treatment profile 302a shows an example
of the uniform treatment profile, in which large volumes of the
rock structure of been eaten away by acid treatment. In some cases,
the uniform treatment profile such as 302a may be undesirable
because it indicates too much of the rock structure has been
removed. Ramified treatment profile 302b shows a similar but less
extreme treatment profile in which less of the rock structure has
been removed by the treatment than the uniform treatment profile
302a. The treatment profiles 302a and 302b may not be desirable
because they indicate that too much of the rock structure has been
removed, thus indicating that a less intense treatment may have
been sufficient to produce a similar or otherwise suitable flow
conductivity.
[0033] The wormhole treatment profile 302c may be a desirable
treatment profile to achieve. The wormhole treatment profile 302c
shows a relatively unitary and continuous flow channel (i.e.,
wormhole structure) extending through the formation. Such a
structure may produce an increase in permeability for the
formation, allowing greater conductivity and greater production.
Further, the wormhole treatment profile 302c may be desirable
because treatments involving removing greater volumes of the rock
structure may not produce enough of an increase in formation
conductivity to be cost-effective, as they may require the use of
more treatment fluid (e.g., acid) or the use of more corrosive
treatment fluids. The conical treatment profile 302d and the face
treatment profile 302e may be indicative of insufficient rock
volume being removed during a treatment, resulting in an
unsatisfactory increase in formation conductivity.
[0034] In some instances, the treatment profiles in FIG. 3 may be
defined according to the following equation:
[0035] In one example process for determining acid injection
parameters, based on the ratio of transverse to axial length scales
of the porous medium dissolved by the acid, the qualitative
criteria of acid dissolution shapes is represented in terms of
parameter .LAMBDA.:
.LAMBDA. = D eT k eff u tip , ##EQU00001##
where D.sub.eT is the effective transverse dispersion coefficient,
u.sub.tip is the velocity of the acid fluid at the tip of the
wormhole, and k.sub.eff is an effective dissolution rate constant
defined as
k eff = 1 ( 1 k s a v + 1 k c a v ) = k c k s k c + k s a v ,
##EQU00002##
where k.sub.c is the pore-scale mass transfer dissolution
coefficient, k.sub.s is the surface reaction dissolution rate
constant, a.sub.v is the areal fraction (interfacial surface area
per unit of volume).
[0036] The parameter .LAMBDA. is used to account for the different
acid channel shapes at core-flow conditions:
.LAMBDA. { O ( 1 ) , Uniform dissolution , .di-elect cons. [ 0.1 ,
1 ] , Wormhole range , O ( 1 ) , Face dissolution .
##EQU00003##
[0037] FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional model 400 of a core sample
including a wormhole structure 404. The three-dimensional model 400
includes rock structure 402 and a wormhole 404 formed through the
rock structure 402. In some implementations, the three-dimensional
model 400 may be produced by analyzing a core sample taken from an
area for wellbore that has already had an acid treatment applied to
it. By analyzing the three-dimensional model 400, a well operator
may determine how effective the acid treatment was, and may update
a field development plan according to the results. For example,
well operator may take one or more cores sample and analyze them
using the imaging and three-dimensional modeling techniques
described herein. The well operator may then use this analysis to
select an acid treatment to perform. After applying the acid
treatment, the well operator may take an additional core sample or
samples and perform the same analysis on it. By examining the
structure produced in the core sample by the acid treatment, the
well operator can determine the effectiveness of the acid
treatment. The well operator may then use this information to plan
or modify treatment parameters of future acid treatments on the
same well (e.g. in different locations) or on other wells. How the
formation responds to different acid treatments can guide updates
to a field development plan. The well operator may take multiple
cores before and after treatment for more robust information.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for
digitally characterizing and simulating wormhole structures in
rock.
[0039] At 502, a core sample of a rock is imaged to produce a
digital core sample model of the structure of the core sample. As
previously discussed, the core sample may be imaged according to a
three-dimensional imaging technique, including, but not limited to,
CT, FIP-SEM, NMR, and/or another technology.
[0040] At 504, the core sample model is analyzed to determine the
porosity value of the core sample. In some implementations, the
porosity value may be expressed in p.u. (porosity units),
represented as a number from 0 to 1, or percentage between zero and
hundred representing the ratio of solid structure to empty space in
the core sample. At 506, the core sample model is analyzed to
determine the permeability value of the core sample. In some
implementations, the permeability value may be presented in meters
squared (m.sup.2) or in darcies (D).
[0041] At 508, a treatment to perform on the rock is determined,
and in certain instances, the treatment is based at least in part
on the core sample model. At 510, the treatment is performed on the
core sample. At 512, after performing the treatment, the core
sample is imaged to produce the final structure of the treated core
sample. At 514, the core sample model is analyzed to determine
results of the treatment. At 516, a field development plan is
updated based on the results of the treatment. Updating the field
development plan may include planning or modifying treatment
parameters of one or more treatments and/or planning new
treatments.
[0042] Notably, in certain instances, one or more of the above
operations can be performed in a different order and/or omitted.
For example, in certain instances, an operator may omit the
determination of the permeability, the determination of the
porosity, the determination to perform the treatment, collecting
and analyzing an additional core samples and/or the operator may
omit other steps.
[0043] Some embodiments of subject matter and operations described
in this specification can be implemented in digital electronic
circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware,
including the structures disclosed in this specification and their
structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them.
Some embodiments of subject matter described in this specification
can be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e., one or
more modules of computer program instructions, encoded on computer
storage medium for execution by, or to control the operation of,
data processing apparatus. A computer storage medium can be, or can
be included in, a computer-readable storage device, a
computer-readable storage substrate, a random or serial access
memory array or device, or a combination of one or more of them.
Moreover, while a computer storage medium is not a propagated
signal, a computer storage medium can be a source or destination of
computer program instructions encoded in an artificially generated
propagated signal. The computer storage medium can also be, or be
included in, one or more separate physical components or media
(e.g., multiple CDs, disks, or other storage devices).
[0044] The term "data processing apparatus" encompasses all kinds
of apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including
by way of example a programmable processor, a computer, a system on
a chip, or multiple ones, or combinations, of the foregoing. The
apparatus can include special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an
FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application
specific integrated circuit). The apparatus can also include, in
addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment
for the computer program in question, e.g., code that constitutes
processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system,
an operating system, a cross-platform runtime environment, a
virtual machine, or a combination of one or more of them. The
apparatus and execution environment can realize various different
computing model infrastructures, such as web services, distributed
computing and grid computing infrastructures.
[0045] A computer program (also known as a program, software,
software application, script, or code) can be written in any form
of programming language, including compiled or interpreted
languages, declarative or procedural languages. A computer program
may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. A program
can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or
data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language
document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question,
or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or
more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer
program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on
multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed
across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication
network.
[0046] Some of the processes and logic flows described in this
specification can be performed by one or more programmable
processors executing one or more computer programs to perform
actions by operating on input data and generating output. The
processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus
can also be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g.,
an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application
specific integrated circuit).
[0047] Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program
include, by way of example, both general and special purpose
microprocessors, and processors of any kind of digital computer.
Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a
read only memory or a random access memory or both. A computer
includes a processor for performing actions in accordance with
instructions and one or more memory devices for storing
instructions and data. A computer may also include, or be
operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or
both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g.,
magnetic, magneto optical disks, or optical disks. However, a
computer need not have such devices. Devices suitable for storing
computer program instructions and data include all forms of
non-volatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way of
example semiconductor memory devices (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, flash
memory devices, and others), magnetic disks (e.g., internal hard
disks, removable disks, and others), magneto optical disks, and CD
ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can be
supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic
circuitry.
[0048] To provide for interaction with a user, operations can be
implemented on a computer having a display device (e.g., a monitor,
or another type of display device) for displaying information to
the user and a keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., a mouse, a
trackball, a tablet, a touch sensitive screen, or another type of
pointing device) by which the user can provide input to the
computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for
interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to
the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual
feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from
the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech,
or tactile input. In addition, a computer can interact with a user
by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device that
is used by the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web
browser on a user's client device in response to requests received
from the web browser.
[0049] A client and server are generally remote from each other and
typically interact through a communication network. Examples of
communication networks include a local area network ("LAN") and a
wide area network ("WAN"), an inter-network (e.g., the Internet), a
network comprising a satellite link, and peer-to-peer networks
(e.g., ad hoc peer-to-peer networks). The relationship of client
and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the
respective computers and having a client-server relationship to
each other.
[0050] In some aspects, some or all of the features described here
can be combined or implemented separately in one or more software
programs for digitally characterizing and simulating wormhole
structures. The software can be implemented as a computer program
product, an installed application, a client-server application, an
Internet application, or any other suitable type of software
[0051] While this specification contains many details, these should
not be construed as limitations on the scope of what may be
claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to
particular examples. Certain features that are described in this
specification in the context of separate implementations can also
be combined. Conversely, various features that are described in the
context of a single implementation can also be implemented in
multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable
subcombination.
[0052] A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless,
it will be understood that various modifications can be made.
Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the
following claims.
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